Hatsumode, or New Years is the biggest holiday in Japan and celebrated between January 1st - 3rd. Most businesses will shut down for these three days and people will gather with their families. Each year is seen as completely separate and the New Years is used as a fresh start in Japan.

It is tradition to visit shrines and temples to pray for a good upcoming year. Big shrines and temples such as the Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple will usually attract more than a million people over the course of the three day holiday. The most impressive turn of events is at the actual turn of the year, the temples and shrines will countdown and ring large temple bells signifying the start of the year.

Taking a Japan tour on New Year can be both rewarding and frustrating. It can be rewarding in the sense that you can witness a very traditional holiday in Japan and take part in some of the biggest festivities at shrines and temples. However, during this holiday, most places will be closed. So, to the Japanese people it’s a few days off from work and life where they can just relax at home. But, as a tourist, after visiting a shrine and temple, there isn’t too much to do for the span of these few days.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Time Out Tokyo

Location: Meiji Shrine or Sensoji Temple.

Dates: Jan 1 - 3

Website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/ , http://www.senso-ji.jp/english/

Below are the map locations for Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple in relative order.

 

 

Every new years holiday, typically on January 2nd, the Imperial Family comes out on the long hall of Chowaden Hall and greets visitors. Over the course of this event, the family makes five appearances in the span of 5 hours and offers a few words for the public.

This event is widely popular in Tokyo and usually attracts thousands of people every year (2020 attracted about 68,000). It starts at 9:30 am and is held at the Imperial Palace. For organization the Nijubashi gate is used as the entrance. It is recommended to arrive early to get past security and massive crowds - it can take up to hours to get in. Here are the following times that the Imperial Family makes appearances:

First Appearance: Around 10:10 a.m.

Second Appearance: Around 11:00 a.m.

Third Appearance: Around 11:50 a.m.

Fourth Appearance: Around 1:30 p.m.

Fifth Appearance: Around 2:20 p.m.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Japanistry

Location: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Imperial Palace

Hours: 9:30am - 2:10pm

Website: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/sanga01.html

How to get there: A 15 minute walk from Tokyo Station.

 

In Japan, setsubun is the day before the start of spring. On the Japanese lunar calendar, this falls sometime between February 2nd-4th every year. For centuries, this day was celebrated by performing rituals with the intent of chasing away evil spirits from the year before.

On this day, it is common to perform the setsubun ritual of mamemaki. Mamemaki literally means bean throwing, and participants will usually throw roasted beans at their homes or at shrines and temples. While throwing the beans you are supposed to shout oni-wa-soto which means evil spirits out and fuku-wa-uchi which means good luck in.

At shrines and temples, people will be tossing out beans and sometimes money, sweets, snacks and toys to celebrate. Major shrines and temples will even bring in sumo wrestlers to throw the roasted beans. Some shrines and temples that hold this event on big scales and have been known to bring in sumo wrestlers are Sensoji Temple, Zojoji Temple and Honmonji Temple.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Savvy Tokyo

Location: Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Zojoji Temple near Tokyo Tower and Honmonji Temple in Ota Ward.

Hours: Typically around noon

Website: N/A

Below are the map locations for Sensoji Temple, Zojoji Temple and Honmonji Temple in relative order.

 

 

 

In Japan, hanami or seeing cherry blossoms is one of the most popular spring time activities to take part in. The cherry blossom takes part at the end of March and beginning of April, and if you’re too early to catch that, you might be able to catch the plum blossoms - which can be just as pretty!

The plum blossom is often associated with the start of spring because it is also one of the first flowers to blossom in Japan. Some of the most famous and well known spots for plum blossoms is Yushima Tenjin Shrine, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden and Hanegi Park. Yushima Tenjin has over 300 plum trees that look great when they bloom. Hanegi Park and Koishikawa Korakuen Garden both have fileds of plum trees making it popular spots to watch plum blossoms.

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Locations: Yushima Tenjin Shrine, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Hanegi Park

Dates: Mid to late February

Website: N/A

Below are the map locations for Yushima Tenjin Shrine, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden and Hanegi Park in relative order.

 

 

 

The annual Tokyo marathon takes place during the beginning of March or end of February, depending on the year. It’s a World Athletics Platinum Label marathon and one of the six World Marathon Majors. The race begins at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings and runs throughout major landmarks of Tokyo such as the Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa and ends at the Tokyo Station. A detailed map of the course can be found here. Some popular spots to watch the marathon is near the Tokyo Tower where a backdrop of the tower with the runners make for a unique scenery, Asakusa - a popular tourist area for both entertainment and watching the race - and the Ginza/Nihonbashi area.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: World Marathon Majors website

Dates: Late February to early March.

Website: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/

 

Occurring on the second Sunday of March every year, you can witness Buddhist monks walk over burning wood at the Hiwatari Festival in Mt. Takao. This sacred practice of walking over burning wood cleanses the monks from evil temptations and influences from evil spirits, as well as pray for world peace and longevity. Surrounding this festival are food stalls and traditional festival booths to keep guests entertained aside from the fire walking. Oh, and if you’re wondering, visitors can participate at the end as well. But don’t worry, it’s after the wood has cooled down a bit to ensure safety.

Entrance fee: Free

Photo credit: Go Tokyo

Location: In a parking lot near Takaosanguchi Station

Hours: Starts 1pm

Website: N/A

How to get there: The Takaosanguchi Station is on the Keio Takao Line which is easy accessible from Shinjuku.

 

Anime Japan is an annual event held at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center. Over hundreds of Japanese and foreign TV and film production companies as well as games, toys and software developers gather making it one of the biggest anime related events in the world. Most of the floor space is occupied with booths, with larger exhibitions featuring their own stage and theaters host special guest appearances from popular faces in the industry.

Entrance fee: Price varies on year.

Photo credit: Japan Guide

Address: 3 Chome-11-1 Ariake, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0063, Tokyo Big Sight

Hours: 9am - 5pm

Website: https://www.anime-japan.jp/en/

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from Tokyo Big Sight Station on the Yurikamome Line or a 13 minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line.

 

If you’re in Japan during the spring time, you might be lucky enough to catch Japan’s renowned cherry blossom season. The arrival of the cherry blossoms signifies the start of spring in Japan. It’s so significant that there are cherry blossom forecasts and festivals to prepare for this event. The cherry blossoms only last for about a week so the timing is key on when you are able to see them.

Some of the best spots to see cherry blossoms are at the Ueno Sakura Festival at Ueno Park, Chiyoda no Sakura Festival at Yasukuni Shrine and at the Meguro River. Other spots include parks and gardens which are listed in our Destination Guide for great cherry blossom spots. For more information on Ueno Park and Yasukuni Shrine, click to find out more.

Photo credit: Nippon

Locations: Ueno Park, Chiyoda no Sakura Festival at Yasukuni Shrine, Meguro River

Dates: Late March to early April

Website: N/A

Below are the map locations for Ueno Park, Yasukuni Shrine and Meguro River in relative order.